Maccabiah Team GB is to name a provisional 23-man open football squad for next year's 18th Maccabiah Games in Israel, we can reveal.
Manager Jonathan Kestenbaum, together with his coaching team of Michael Stone and Ben Winston, will reduce the squad to 18 players with five non-travelling reserves working as a unit for the first get-together in November.
And it promises to be one of the strongest squads to represent Britain for many years.
Six members of the GB squad won bronze at the European Games in Rome with James Gershfield, Ben Grossman, Matt Davis, Matt Stock, Lee Cash and Michael Sacks still in contention. Sacks is one of six players with experience of playing at a professional club.
The former Manchester United academy player is joined by Mitch Hahn (Southend), Jonathan Kurrant (Charlton), Sam Sloma (Wimbledon), Josh Kennet (Oxford United) and Michael Warwick (Stoke City).
Kestenbaum said: "It is a powerful blend of professionals, semi-professionals and some MSFL players.
"We are very satisfied with the selection. At the same time we are under no illusion.
"The USA team which reached the final at the last Maccabiah contained three players who went on to play in the World Cup. The standard will be exceptionally high.
"One thing is clear, however, right across the squad - we have selected 23 quality players who all understand the significance of the tournament, are proud to be going and will be preparing hard for the challenge."
<b>The squad:</b>
Matt Davis (Hillingdon Boro FC)
Andrew Goldman (Sydney FC)
Daniel Cole (Wingate & Finchley & NW Neasden)
Guy Helman (London Lions)
Guy Morris (London Lions)
David Soutar (Crowborough Athletic)
Michael Sacks (Wingate & Finchley)
Alex Smith (Team Bath)
Mitch Hahn (Enfield Town)
Alex Levack (London Lions & Faithfold)
Jonathan Kurrant (Loughborough Town)
Andy Glynne (Hillingdon Boro)
Ben Lauffer (London Lions)
Daniel Stanton (Wingate & Finchley & NW Neasden)
Daniel Berg (Potters Bar Town)
Craig Ellis (Wingate & Finchley)
Josh Kennet (Maccabi Herzliya)
Sam Sloma (Grays Athletic)
Paul Hakim (St Albans City)
James Gershfield (Fort Lewis)
Matt Stock (Brest)
Lee Cash (London Lions & NW Neasden)
Michael Warwick (Witton Albion)
